Safety on campus

This special explores how safety is taken into consideration at Erasmus University. The university is investing millions in cameras, training staff, and supporting students. Yet regular incidents such as break-ins and burglaries continue to happen on campus.

Social safety is a long-term effort that goes beyond individual training sessions and requires a broader cultural shift across the entire university, says HR policy officer Mies Franken. With that in mind, Erasmus University has held 37 active bystander training sessions for staff in 2025.

Another way to increase safety on campus is through security. Erasmus University is spending 1.7 million euros to replace its ageing camera security system on campus Woudestein. The new system, expected to go live in 2027, will significantly improve quality but will not use artificial intelligence such as facial recognition.

In February 2026, thieves broke into the vacant F building on campus Woudestein, covering security cameras, breaking windows, and stealing boilers and taps. This left the building without electricity and with water flooding the corridors.

For years, Erasmus University failed to consult the University Council on camera placements as required. Now, the first time two relocations were formally submitted for approval, the council refused.

On campus Woudestein, it is virtually impossible to walk from one building to another without being caught on camera. Yet, the exact number and locations of cameras is kept secret. EM mapped the outdoor cameras together with researchers from BOLD Cities, revealing 36 cameras and raising questions about privacy and oversight.

Since the start of this academic year, all Erasmus University staff are expected to act as evacuators in an emergency. However, the pilot raised confusion among both staff and the University Council about what exactly that means.

Antisemitism on campuses is increasing, a report found. That’s why the cabinet is urging universities to tackle antisemitism and is making 350,000 euros available to support Jewish students and staff.